European Journal of Molecular & Clinical Medicine

Abstract

If not addressed with long-term mitigation practices, the high incidence of isolation is
closely correlated with the likelihood of developing mental health problems such as
anxiety, depression, and even vulnerability to suicidal ideation.
According to research, individuals who live away from their ancestral homelands are at a
higher risk of depression and mental health problems. One of the main populations of
expatriates living in the UAE is projected to be the Indian population. It has been proposed
that expatriates, despite appearing to live a happy life, often face a variety of negative
circumstances such as isolation, workplace distress, and worries about occupational
security, all of which contribute to a rise in the prevalence of mental illnesses such as
depression, stress, and anxiety. As a result, the following study sought to determine the
prevalence of isolation, mental wellbeing, and the risk of mental health problems among
Indians working in Sharjah, UAE. A quantitative cross-sectional design was used, along
with data collection on demographics, mental wellbeing, and social functioning, using
self-reported questions l i k e the General Health Functioning-28 and the Social
Functioning Questionnaire. Based on these results, the study was evenly distributed in
terms of their risk of mental health illnesses and a high degree of social functioning, likely
due to the inclusion of both single and non-single participants. Furthermore, demographic
factors such as age, schooling, and occupational levels may be responsible for the
equitable distribution of such risk and high levels of social functioning. Further research
into the role of specific demographic factors in influencing mental health status and social
functioning among Indian expatriates in the UAE is therefore needed.